On immigration, only older whites lean toward GOP: poll

As the debate over immigration reform swirls in Washington, new polling data released Monday shows that a solid plurality of Americans say they “relate” more to Democrats than Republicans on the issue.

Forty-eight percent of Americans say the immigration position of the Democratic party is closer to their own than that of Republicans, according to a new Gallup survey. Only 36 percent said the Republican party represents their views on immigration.

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What’s worse for the GOP is that the poll confirms that only older, white Americans back Republicans on immigration.

The survey found that huge majorities of Hispanics and blacks lean toward the Democratic party on the issue; 76 percent of blacks ages 50 and older, for example, say the Democratic party is closer to their views. Fifty-nine percent of Hispanics younger than 50 said the same, with only 27 percent of that group identifying with the Republican party.

Only whites ages 50 and older said the GOP best represents their feelings on immigration reform, with 46 percent leaning Republican and 39 percent leaning Democrat.